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November 9, 2014 — Are You Prepared

Jocelyn Breeland–Fairfax, VA

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Warm-up Question

What’s the most important way you are preparing for your future?

Are You Prepared

Here are some things that have been happening around the country in the last couple of weeks:

Authorities on the Big Island of Hawaii have gone door-to-door notifying residents to make preparations for a possible evacuation in advance of lava flows from the Kilauea volcano. Will everyone remain safe? Will their homes?

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Christmas decorations, on store shelves for weeks, are even more prominent now that Halloween has passed. Have you bought yours yet?

Hospitals and state and local governments are working urgently to develop plans in the event of a case of Ebola in their areas. Will the plans be successful in containing the disease?

Voters in Texas, Ohio and North Carolina scrambled to comply with Supreme Court action that upheld new voter ID requirements, fewer voting dates and an end to same-day voter registration – respectively, in those states. Was there a noticeable reduction in voter fraud, as some insisted, or would poor and minority voters be suppressed, as others feared?

In every case, people are foreseeing the future, and taking steps to be ready.

 

Discussion Questions

  • Have you ever been in a situation where you were unprepared? What lesson did you learn from that experience?
  • How do you handle things you can’t prepare for?
  • Is there a difference when you plan to avoid something bad as compared to planning for something good?
  • How is your faith part of your preparation?

Lectionary 32

Amos 5:18-24

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Matthew 25:1-13

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year C at Lectionary Readings.)

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

 

Gospel Reflection

Matthew 25 contains two stories that Jesus uses to teach his disciples – and us – about God’s expectations. He wants us to be prepared, like the virgins who carried extra oil for their lamps.

In verses 14 – 28, he urges us to be like the men who invested their bags of gold. And in verses 31 – 46, he explains why.

The good news is that God always provides the oil for the lamp and the riches to invest. We have everything we need to live the lives he has planned for us.

Discussion Questions

  • Describe the parable in plain terms. How are we like the virgins who planned ahead? How are we like those who did not?
  • Does this scripture contradict Matthew 6: 25 – 34? What are we supposed to worry about and plan for, and what are we not?
  • What things or people can help you prepare?
  • Do factors such as age, gender, location or economic status affect your preparations?

Activity Suggestions

 

Imagine you know that Jesus is going to be visiting your group next week. How will you prepare?

  • Make a list of things you might do to get ready for Jesus’ visit. They should be things you can actually do, but don’t worry about not having time to do everything on the list. Just spend a few minutes writing down as many options as you can think of.
  • Select one or two of the options and commit to doing them in the next week.
  • Share your list and your commitment with the others in the group.
  • Next week, make time to discuss your experience.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we offer you praise and thanksgiving for blessing us with everything we need to live the lives you have planned for us. Remind us daily whose we are and who we serve. Lift our spirits when we are discouraged. Give us the wisdom to see what you would have us do, and the courage to do it boldly. We ask all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Ebola Outbreak – Awareness and Prevention in Sierra Leone

Megan Brandsrud

​Hand washing station in Sierra Leone

As of Oct. 29, 2014, Sierra Leone has had 5,235 documented cases of Ebola and 1,500 documented deaths. However, the World Health Organization says these numbers could be severely underestimated. Ebola transmission continues to be persistent in Sierra Leone, and all districts in the country have reported at least one confirmed or suspected case of Ebola since this outbreak began.

Since this outbreak is the first time that Ebola has impacted Sierra Leone, the people were not prepared or well-educated about the virus, its symptoms, and its means of transmission or prevention and containment methods. The lack of prior information and the spreading of misinformation has broken down trust and created alarming concern in communities.

Working with the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone, Lutheran Disaster Response is helping create greater community awareness to help bring the Ebola crisis under control. Priorities are focused on building awareness, teaching prevention strategies, addressing myths related to Ebola and treatment facilities, building trust in communities, and providing support regarding anti-stigmatization.

Companions in Response

Many ELCA congregations and synods in the U.S. have joined in the fight against Ebola by showing solidarity, joining in prayer and raising funds. The ELCA’s Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod has raised more than $85,000 to send supplies to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone, the synod’s companion church. To date, the synod has sent three containers with Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and Steramine, a highly-concentrated disinfectant, to Sierra Leone. Funds have also been used for food assistance.

“People have been motivated to give to these projects because we know our friends in Sierra Leone face-to-face,” says the Rev. Kevin Kanouse, bishop to the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod. “We have met them; we have walked with them through their war and recovery. We know that loving our brothers and sisters is central to our call as disciples of Jesus and we find joy and purpose in helping in this way. We assure them that we are praying for them, and they pray for us, as well. They do not walk alone in this tragedy; they have our love and encouragement, and they have God’s peace, love and hope.”

While Ebola continues to impact Sierra Leone and other countries in West Africa, the disease is taking a toll on other aspects of life, including food security and healthcare regarding non-Ebola related illnesses. Please continue to hold West Africa in your prayers as we journey on in this fight against Ebola. If you would like to support Lutheran Disaster Response’s work in the Ebola Outbreak Response, please visit the response giving page.

(Pictured: Hand-washing station during prevention training in Sierra Leone. Photo courtesy of Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod.)

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